Announcing Downtown Design 2016 this October at D3 Dubai

The Middle East’s only quality-driven design trade fair is set to return for its fourth edition during Dubai Design Week this October (25-28). Bringing together over 100 brands from 25 countries, the event has become an important fixture in the design calendar for both international brands and buyers from the MENASA region and will once again be held at the Dubai Design District (d3), the creative heart of the city.

Mohammad Saeed Al Shehhi, Chief Operating Officer, Dubai Design District says, “As a platform for the design industry in the region, d3 is proud to support Downtown Design. Design is at the centre of the new vision of Dubai and, as a catalyst event, Downtown Design is part of that journey towards achieving global recognition as a leading creative hub, whilst also supporting d3’s goal of becoming the home for design brands both regionally and internationally.”

Downtown Design carefully reviews every exhibitor application to provide visitors with high quality and innovative contemporary design from established and emerging brands. Featuring furniture, lighting, bathrooms, kitchens, textiles and accessories, the fair presents an opportunity to discover new launches and fresh talent across all categories. First time exhibitor Los Angeles’ furniture and lighting brand Bend Goods will present a new collection of playful pieces; Sancal, from Spain, makes its first foray in the Middle East with a standout collection of eclectic furniture and upholstery; and award-winning Dubai-based interior designer Pallavi Dean debuts as a product designer during Downtown Design with her first furniture and accessories collection.

Taking a wider scope, the fair also hosts Design Weeks from around the world; each of which bring a co-curated presentation of three emerging design brands that offer visitors the chance to discover products they would not ordinarily encounter at the big shows. The popular initiative, entitled ‘Destinations’, this year brings Addis Ababa, Barcelona, Beirut, Reykjavik and Taiwan Design Weeks to Dubai.

“Downtown Design brings together the regional design community, to discover international brands, rekindle existing relationships and build new ones, as well as providing a platform to share ideas and gain insight on how the market is developing, and the opportunities that presents. Building on the success of last year’s edition and an unprecedented interest in Downtown Design 2016, for exhibitors interested in this year’s show we are now oversubscribed, and are already accepting applications for 2017. Together with us, all our exhibitors are fully invested in presenting a fresh concept for Downtown, including products which will make their world debut here in Dubai,” says Downtown Design’s fair director Rue Kothari who joined in 2015, overseeing the fair’s exponential growth.

For 2016, local architect Tarik Al Zaharna of T.Zed Architects has been commissioned to reimagine the visitor experience around the theme of nature; incorporating natural materials in the design of the common areas. Each day of the fair will feature a series of industry talks and panel discussions, showcasing the young and flourishing design industry of Dubai and its surrounding region. Combined with a developing Buyers Programme that now activates the wider region, Downtown Design further expands its reach to become the place for the design industry to come together and do business in October.